Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Monday killed four people and injured 51 others, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, as cross-border tensions with Israel continue to escalate.
Among the victims was a woman, while three children were also injured in the attacks, which targeted several areas in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (ANI).
The Israeli army said the strikes were aimed at what it described as Hezbollah infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley.
It added that over recent days it had destroyed more than 50 “terror infrastructure” targets, including an underground complex allegedly used by Hezbollah for attacks against Israel.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for new attacks against Israeli forces deployed in southern Lebanon, including strikes on a Merkava tank in Kfarkela and an excavator in Bint Jbeil.
Rising toll and ceasefire tensions
According to an AFP tally based on Lebanese Health Ministry data, Israeli strikes have killed at least 40 people in Lebanon since 17 April, when a ceasefire took effect.
Fourteen people were reportedly killed on Sunday alone.
Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, which was extended on 23 April following talks in Washington involving Israeli and Lebanese envoys.
Netanyahu warns over Hezbollah threat
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah remains a continuing threat, citing rockets and drones as key concerns.
He said the group still holds around 10% of the missile stockpile it possessed at the start of the conflict and stressed the need for combined operational and technological responses.
He also referred to Israel’s right to self-defence under ceasefire terms, including action against imminent or ongoing threats.
Political tensions in Lebanon
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem exchanged accusations over potential direct negotiations with Israel, which Hezbollah opposes.
Aoun said his aim is to end the state of war with Israel, while rejecting what he called “humiliating agreements”.
Qassem, in turn, accused Lebanese authorities of making “pointless and humiliating concessions”.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Hezbollah’s leadership was “playing with fire”, saying such actions could endanger both the group and Lebanon as a whole.
Wider regional outlook
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir warned that 2026 could remain a year of continued fighting across multiple fronts.
Since early March, more than 2,520 people have been killed in Lebanon and over 7,800 injured, according to Lebanese authorities.
During the same period, 16 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon, including one on Sunday, according to Israeli officials.
Also read: Israel accused of restricting water access for Palestinians, says DWB
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